The Big Review – SeeMore M1 and M5W Putters

In most people’s minds, SeeMore is most strongly associated with Zac Johnson winning the Masters in 2007. What many may not realise is that it was also used by Payne Stewart to win the 1999 US Open in what many regard as the greatest putting display in Majors history, and that SeeMore putters were also used in 3 of the 5 lowest putting rounds recorded by the US PGA.

SeeMore have distinguished themselves from other putter manufacturers with their RifleScope technology. This allows the golfer to guarantee their alignment, with two parallel white lines framing the shaft to ensure that the face is never closed or open throughout the stroke.

Bag Chatter got to check out the m1 and the m5w. While not exactly new (the m series was released in 2007), there are still many who might not be aware of the SeeMore name and what it represents. The m1 is the classic cavity blade with a straight shaft while the m5w is a mallet with a double bend shaft.

m1 face view

m5w face view

Appearance

Both look fantastic. The level of workmanship and quality of finish is top notch. The milling marks on the faces of both putters – classic horizontal on the m1 and a striking diamond pattern on the m5w – are absolutely flawless, and both have high quality True Temper shafts and excellent Golf Pride or Winn grips. The RifleScope markings remind you that you could only be playing a SeeMore but in any case are not intrusive and matches very well with the blacked out lower section of the shaft. The platinum satin finish of the top area of both putters prevents any glare and both the blade and the mallet set up beautifully, inspiring real confidence.

While headcovers are rarely a consideration when choosing a putter, a quick mention must be of the ones that accompanied these putters as they were both superb and it was nice to see such beautiful pieces poking out the top of the bag during a round. The magnetic closures worked well, a pleasant surprise given my previous experiences of magnets in headcovers. In fact the headcover of the M1 is possibly the easiest and most convenient headcover I’ve ever come across.

Both were measure with analogue tools at 70 degrees lie and 3 degrees loft

Feel

Being made from soft 303 stainless steel and having gone to the trouble of adding a feel enhancing aluminium insert, both offer outstanding feel. The sweetspots are exactly where you would expect to find them, bang in the middle of the face, and both putters offer a consistent level of feedback whether you are using premium or value balls. Misshits are well communicated with a delicacy that allows really detailed judgment of what went wrong and the top quality grips help ensure a secure connection.

That said, misshits are not what putters are about; it’s all about the well struck putt. How do these putters fair? Exactly as you would expect: smooth, smooth, smooth. There is no harsh click at contact and neither is there any sense that the contact has been deadened or muted as these are putters that practically roar with life. You have the complete sensation of contact and can practically count the dimples. The sheer volume of feedback sent to your hands ought to be overwhelming but never is. Now this torrent of information is never going to instantly turn you into a master putter but it certainly contributes to your education and improvement of green-side skills.

Performance

Accuracy and Easy of Alignment

This is where we find out whether the RifleScope technology works or whether it is just a gimmick. As you would guess by the Tour records I mentioned at the start, it is the real deal. Setting up is the simplest of tasks and the alignment is more or less guaranteed by the RifleScope lines and the accompanying red dot on the top of the putter. The head weight is nicely balanced, neither too light nor too heavy promoting a smooth stroke and a solid contact. Minor misshits are corrected by the heel and toe weighting and a strike out of the centre rolls the ball sweetly. The ball isn’t going to find its way into the hole if your alignment is wrong but at least you will know that a putt on the wrong line is down to a misread rather than a poor stroke.

m1 at address

m5w at address

As expected, the m1 suits a stroke that is slightly arced as it looks to release at impact due to the toe hang while the face balanced m5w is best for a straight back straight through stroke.

An interesting point is how well the RifleScope works for both a straight shaft and a double bend one. The first is to be expected as the straight shaft places the head directly above the putter head but the second one is an impressive achievement as the putter head is a full shaft width offset. SeeMore do not currently offer any of their putters with a plumbers neck as there is currently no way that a plumbers neck can be integrated with RifleScope, although there are rumours that this is being addressed.

The other benefit of having the RifleScope dot is that it’s like having a portable diagnostics kit for your putting stroke. When you are practising your stroke, a quick glance at the putter will show you whether you are opening or hooding the face at all. Whether your stroke is arced or straight back straight through, the lines indicate how correct your stoke is allowing you to make instant changes to correct any errors that start to slip in, even mid-round.

Distance Control

With the excellent feel, distance control is very easy with these putters. Longer putts are not a problem and the great balance of these clubs allows you to control range how you want. A longer or faster stroke or using a hint of wrist break, either techniques are equally rewarded. While the m5w is genuinely excellent, the m1 is freakish in its ability to apparently read your mind and hit the ball with the speed required to cosy the ball up to the hole from distance.

Conclusion

These are two top quality putters from SeeMore but do they match up to the incredibly high expectations that their pedigree and price demand? The short answer is yes. whether you prefer a blade or a mallet, straight or double bend shaft, soft and tacky/firm and precise grip there is something in the SeeMore range that will appeal to you and if you are looking for something different and do decide to try one, don’t be surprised if it finds its way into your bag before you realise it.

1 COMMENT

i tried the original seemore when it first came out. alignment is its strong point. and therefore short (and straight) putts were made easier. however, the head felt too light for long putts. i don’t know if this has been fixed with the newer models.